How long does it take to recover after minimally invasive surgery for uterine fibroids?

Minimally invasive surgery for uterine fibroids is a relatively advanced method. This method can quickly relieve the symptoms of uterine fibroids, and the wound left is relatively small. Generally, the patient can get out of bed 2 days after the operation and needs to rest for a month. During this period of rest, sexual intercourse is prohibited to allow the uterus sufficient time to promote its recovery. You also need to pay attention to your diet.

How long does it take to recover after minimally invasive surgery for uterine fibroids?

All I can say is that under normal circumstances, you can get out of bed 1-2 days after minimally invasive surgery, you need to rest for a month, abstain from sexual intercourse for a month, and you can get pregnant 2 years after the surgery (if the fibroids are superficial, some people can get pregnant 1 year after the surgery).

Symptoms of uterine fibroids.

Most patients have no obvious symptoms and are only occasionally discovered during pelvic examination. If symptoms occur, it is closely related to the location of the fibroids, its growth rate, and whether the fibroids have degenerated.

1. Menstrual changes: The most common symptom is shortened menstrual cycle, increased menstrual flow, prolonged menstrual period, irregular vaginal bleeding, etc.

2. Abdominal mass: The abdomen is swollen, and a mass can be felt in the lower abdomen, accompanied by a feeling of falling.

3. Increased leucorrhea: Increased leucorrhea, sometimes with a large amount of purulent and bloody discharge and necrotic tissue discharge with a foul odor.

4. Pain: Generally, patients do not have abdominal pain, but often have lower abdominal distension, back pain, etc. When the subserosal fibroid pedicle of uterine fibroids is twisted, acute abdominal pain may occur. When the fibroid turns red, the abdominal pain is severe and accompanied by fever.

5. Compression symptoms: The fibroids grow forward or backward and may compress the bladder, urethra or rectum, causing frequent urination, difficulty urinating, urinary retention or constipation. When the fibroids grow to both sides, broad ligament fibroids are formed. When they compress the ureter, they can cause hydroureteral or renal pelvis; if they compress the pelvic blood vessels and lymphatic vessels, they can cause lower limb edema.

6. Infertility: Fibroids compress the fallopian tubes, causing them to twist, or deform the uterine cavity, thus preventing the fertilized egg from implanting and leading to infertility.

7. Secondary anemia: If the patient has excessive menstruation for a long time, it may lead to secondary anemia, with symptoms such as general fatigue, pale complexion, shortness of breath, and palpitations.

8. Hypoglycemia: Hypoglycemia associated with uterine fibroids is also rare. The main symptoms are low fasting blood sugar, loss of consciousness and even shock. The symptoms can completely disappear after glucose injection. The symptoms of hypoglycemia disappeared completely after tumor resection.

Uterine fibroids should be differentiated from the following diseases:

(1) When uterine fibroids become cystic during pregnancy, their texture is relatively soft and care should be taken to differentiate them from the pregnant uterus. Pregnant women have a history of amenorrhea and early pregnancy reactions. The uterus becomes larger and softer during the amenorrhea months. The diagnosis can be confirmed by urine or blood HCG measurement and B-ultrasound.

(2) Ovarian cysts usually do not cause menstrual changes, and the tumor is cystic and located on one side of the uterus. Pay attention to the differentiation between solid ovarian cysts and pedunculated subserosal myomas, and between cystic degeneration of myomas and ovarian cysts. Pay attention to the relationship between the mass and the uterus. B-ultrasound can be used to assist in the diagnosis, and laparoscopy can confirm the diagnosis if necessary.

(3) Adenomyosis may cause uterine enlargement and increased menstruation. Localized adenomyosis is similar to intramural uterine fibroids and is hard in texture. However, adenomyosis causes obvious secondary dysmenorrhea, and the uterus usually enlarges evenly, rarely exceeding the size of a 3-month pregnant uterus. B-mode ultrasonography can aid in the diagnosis. But sometimes the two can coexist.

(4) Uterine malignancy

1) Uterine sarcoma: It often occurs in elderly women, grows rapidly, and is often accompanied by abdominal pain, abdominal masses, and irregular vaginal bleeding. Type B ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging are helpful for differentiation.

2) Endometrial cancer: The main symptom is vaginal bleeding after menopause, and it is more common in elderly women. The uterus is uniformly enlarged or normal in size and soft. It should be noted that perimenopausal women may have fibroids combined with endometrial cancer. Diagnostic curettage or hysteroscopy can help with differentiation.

3) Cervical cancer: There are symptoms such as irregular vaginal bleeding, increased leucorrhea or abnormal discharge. The exophytic type is easier to identify, while the endophytic cervical cancer should be differentiated from cervical submucosal fibroids. It can be differentiated with the help of B-ultrasound, cervical cytology, cervical biopsy, endocervical curettage and segmental diagnostic curettage.

(5) Other ovarian endometriomas, pelvic inflammatory masses, uterine malformations, etc. can be differentiated based on medical history, physical signs and B-type ultrasound examination.